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Topic: What is the correct response in an unsual family situation? (Read 7733 times)

My biological parent passed away a number of years ago. I did not live with this parent, and had only infrequent interactions(once or twice a year) with them through the years. This parent also had children after I was adopted out. A recent Facebook post came up with them expressing how hard it is without the parent, and they tagged me in it.

I obviously had a different relationship with the BP than they did. It seems wrong to offer condolences since it was a shared parent. I just have a bit of sadness when I think about the passing of BP, not the great loss that my half-siblings have.

What is a good response in a situation like this? So far, I haven't posted. I tried a couple of times, but couldn't think of something meaningful.

I think it would be okay to not respond at all if you didn't feel like it. You could also untag yourself if you didn't want to be associated with the status at all. Personally I don't like being tagged in anything because I don't want others to know my business if I don't announce it myself--so untagging doesn't necessarily have to be seen as you rejecting anything, it could just be a privacy issue.

Though I admit "I'm sorry for your loss" might sound a little odd from you to them, Sharnita's suggestion is good if you really feel the need to respond.